US1256497A - Fender attachment for automobiles. - Google Patents

Description

- C. SADLO.

FENDER ATTACHMENT FUR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 9. I915.

1 ,256,497 Patented Feb. 12, 1918.

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C. SADLO.

FENDER ATTACHMENT FOR AUPOMUBILES.

AP LICATION FILED APR. 9. I915.

Patented Feb. 12, 1918.

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FENDER ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION flLiD AFRB. I915. 1,256,497. Patented Feb. 12,1918.

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FENDER ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOMOBILES.

1,256,497 APPLICATION FILED APR. 9. i915- Patented 12' B SHEETSSHEET 4.

Sumo/Mo's C/zww/es [3210350 C. SADLO.

FENDER ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED APR.9.19I5.

O Q\ u Patented Feb. 12, 1918.

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NW 4/ 1 S FIJL C. SADLO.

FENDER ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATTON nuzo mm). I915.

1 ,256,497. Patented Feb. 12, 1918.

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C. SADLO.

FENDER ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOMOBLES.

APPLICATION HLED APR. 9. l9l5- Patented Feb. 12, 1918.

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C. SADLO.

FENDER ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED APILS. I9I5. 1,256,497.

CHARLES SADLO, 0F ASTORIA, NEW YORK.

FENDER ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 12, 1918.

Application filed April 9. 1915. Serial No. 20,319.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l. (nAnLBs Snow, a citizen of the llnited States. residing: at Astoria. L. 1.. in the count of Queens and State of New York. have invented eel'tain new and useful Improvements in Fender Attachments for Automobiles: and I do hereby declare the following to be a full. clear. and exact description of the invention. such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it ap wrtainto make and use the same.

This invention relates to a lender attachment for automobiles. and the primary object of the invention is to provide an accident preventin; lender. which is normally held in an inoperative and nnobstructive position partially in front of and partially beneath the automobile. which fender is automatieallv operated when the automobile strikes a person. for receiving the person on the fender and topping: the travel of the automobile \'tl('lll't tltill. l therewith.

Another object of this invention is to pro. vide a novel form of mechanism as specified which utilizes in combination. electricity and compressed air for o n-rating the improved fender for catching a person and preventing iniurv thereof.

Another object of this ilHtllllull is to provide a plurality of air operated pistons. for successively operating the dog mechanism on the various clutch. brake and speed levers. and operatinL the levers themselves immediatel thereafter for moviin them into various positions. for stopping the travel. of the car innin-diatelv when the same strikes an object or person.

still further object of this invention is to provide a pnelumltieallv operable lender for automobiles which embodies .i easing having: rolled therein a llexible support. and positioned forwardly of the same. a guard for releasing said support for outward movement when the automobile :-l;l'll(t:- an obstruetion or person. and which closes an electrical circuit for opening: an air valve for" automatically forcing ontwardlv and forwardly of theautomobile. said flexible support for receiving the person v truck. and further to provide pneumatic means for supporting the casin, and moving it ontwardlv a limited distance prior to the outward movement of the llexible support.

'ith the foregoing; and other objects in view this invention consists in r-llt'll novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and claimed.

In describing the invention in detail reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation partially in section of an automobile, showing the forward part of the improved fender attached thereto.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of an automobile. showing the mechanism for operating the gear shifting lever.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the improved fender,

Fig. 4 is a plan view partially in section of the mechanism for operating the clutch and brake pedals,

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through air cylinders employed for operating the gear shifting lever.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view through one of the flexible fender supports. showing the same in an extended osition,

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view on the line 77 of Fig. 6,

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view on the line 8-8 of Fig. 5,

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view partially in side elevation and partially in section of the connections between the electric motor and the air valve,

'10 is a lmigitudinal sectional view through the flexible fender retaining casing.

Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view on the line 1111 of Fig. 10,

Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view on the line 12-42 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary sec- ,tional view of part of the fender.

Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view on the line 14-14 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 15 is a plan view partially in section of the pneumatic means for moving the flexible fender for holding or retaining; casing outwardlv into an operative position. or inwardly out of an operative position. diagrammatically.

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary side elevation of an automobile.- showing the mechanism for operating the clutch lever. and

Fig. 17 is a detail view of a pipe connection employed in the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawin l'designates an automobile of any or inary type of construction now com monly in use upon the market which has a chassis 2 and a gear operating lever 3 carried thereby.

The side rails 4 of the chassis 2 have secured to their forward ends forwardly of the hood 5 of the automobile a substantially cylindrical casing 10, which has arcuate sleeves 11 and 12 detachably connected to its outer ends. The casing 10 has rotatably mounted therein a shaft 13 to which is connected, for rolling upon the shaft, a flexible fabric curtain or support 14. The shaft 13 is rotatably carried by the ends 15 and 16 of the casing, which are detachably mounted therein, and it has a spiral spring 17 mounted internally thereof, which spring acts identically with the action of the spring in an ordinary spring curtain or shade roller.

The casing 10 has rods 10 and 10" secured to the rear side thereof, which rods extend into cylinders 10? and 10", and have piston heads 10 and 10' mounted upon their ends which are positioned within the respective cylinders. The cylinders 10 and 10? have a plurality of ball bearings 10 positioned therein, and engaging the outer surface of thepiston rods 10 and 10 to support the rods. The ballbearings 10 are heldin place by transversely extending partitions 10 wh ch are formed withinthe cylinders 10 and 10 intermediate of their ends. The piston rods pass freely through the openings formed in the partitions 10 and the caps 10' which are removably mounted upon the outer ends of the cylinders. The pistons 10* and 10' have gaskets 10 mounted thereon for roviding a substantially airtight connection between the peripheries of the pistons and the interior of the cylinders. The pistons 10 and 10' have spiral springs 10 and 10' secured thereto, which springs extend rearwardly from the pistons 1n the cylinders 10 and 10 and engage the inner surface of the removable caps 10'" and 10 which are mounted upon the rear ends of the cylinders 10 and 10.

The cylinders 10 and '10 have communication with a compressed air storage tank 56 through pipe connections 10". The assage of air through the pipe connections 10" is controlled by the operation of the valve 55, which will be hereinaftermore fully described.

The cylinders 10' and 10 are bled of air by a bleedvalve 10 which" is positioned in the air feed pipe of the cylinders. The valve 10 is arranged so that when it is closed, it will allow air to pass therethrough into the cylinders. but when opened to bleed the cylinders, will cut ofl' the passage of air from the feed pipeinto the cylinders and allow the air to pass or bleed out of the cylinders. The bleed valve 10' is manually operated.

The shaft 13 projects out of the arcuate sleeve 12 through an opening 18 formed therein and has its outer end substantially rectangular in cross section, as is shown at 19, to permit of the winding of the curtain or fabric support 14 upon the shaft 13 and also to permit of the winding and tensioning of the spring 17.

The shaft 13 has ratchet wheels 20 and 21 mounted thereon upon 0 posite sides of the curtain 14, the teeth o which are engaged by pawls 22. The pawls 22 are pivotally carried in any suitable manner by the cylindrical casing 10, and the have projections 23 formed thereon, which are positioned in the inner ends of the rods 24. The rods 24 project forwardly through the casin 10 and have their outer ends connecte to a guard 25. The guard 25 extends-along the entire length of the casing 10 and has its ends slightly curved and projecting partially over the length of the arcuate sleeves 11 and 12, as is clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 10 of the drawings. The

ard 25 is normally spaced from the easmg 10 by spiral springs 26 which are mounted in sleeves 27, which are carried by the forward side or portion of the casing 10. The spiral springs 26 are coiled about sleeves 28, which are carried by the inner transversely extending partitions 29, which form closures for the inner ends of the tubes 27. One end of each of the springs 26 abuts against the partitions 29, while the other ends abut against partitions 30 which are positioned a short distance inwardly of the outer end of the sleeves 27. The rods 24 are rigidly connected to the lungers 30 and slidable in the sleeves 28.

he inner ends of the rods 24 have rollers 31 mounted thereon for engagement with the lugs 23 for moving the pawls 22 out of engagement with the peripheral ratchet teeth formed upon the ratchet 20, so as to permit of the unwinding of the curtain 14 from about the shaft 13.

The sleeves 27 have contacts 32 and 33 carried by their outer ends, which are insulated from the body portion of the sleeve by suitable insulating plates 34. The contacts 32 and 33 have communication through electrical conductors 35 with a motor 36, which is carried by the automobile construction, and the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fully described.

The end of the curtain 14, passes throu h a slit or opening 37, which is formed in t e sleeve 10. The sleeve 10 has rearwardly extending cars 38 formed thereon to which are connected rods 39 and 40.- The rods 39 and 40 are positioned upon opposite sides of the slot or opening 37 and they have rollers connected at 81 to the hand lever 82, which is employed for operating the dog mechanism 83 which coacts with the quadrant 84 for holding the ear shift lever 3 in various positions, suc as a forward position, a neutral position and a reverse position, as is indicated by the notches 85 shown in the quadrant 84. p

The lever 3 has an eye 86 secured to its rear edge, to which eye is connected a rod 87. The rod 87 extends rearwardly therefrom, and is slidably seated in a cyllnder 88 and connected to a piston 89. The piston 89 is slidably mounted within a cylinder 88 and has a plurality of ball bearings 90 spaced about its circumference, for decreasing the friction of the travel of the piston within the cylinder and to allow the passage of air about the piston during its movements. The cylinder 88 has a collar 91 formed upon its rear end, which is detachably connected to a longitudinally extending lug 92, which is' formed upon the detachable head 93 of a cylinder 94. The cylinder 94 is positioned in alinement with the cylinder 88, and has its rear end communicating with the pipe 71 to permit of the passage of airinto the cylinder 94 rearwardly of thepiston 95 which is slidably mounted therein. The iston 95 has a rod 97 connected thereto w ich extends forwardly through the bore formed in the removable piston head 93. The piston rod 97 has its forward end 98 seated within the cylinder 89, and normally held spaced from t e piston 89, as is clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The space between the end of the' piston rod 97 and the piston 89 is provided for permitting of the independent movement of the lever 3 without in any way interfering with the operation of the piston 95 or the mechanism heretofore described, and furthermore to permit of the forward movement of the iston76 for o crating the hand lever 82 or operating t e dog mechanism 83 prior to the actuation of the lever 3 by the rod 87, this time bein absorbed by the passage of the piston rod 9% throu h the space between its outer end and the piston 89. A spiral spring 99 is mounted within the cylinder 95, and is connected to this piston for automatically retracting the piston within the cylinder 94, or moving it into its inward osition immediately after the cessation of t e passage of air into the cylinder from the pipe 71 and the compressed air cylinder 56. A suitable bleed valve 71' is rovided for draining the air from the cylin er 94.

The valve stem 58 has a rectangular section 100 formed thereon which is provided for manually rotating the valve stem for closing the valve and cutting off passage of air throu h the various pipes 53, 54, 69 and 71 after t e device has been operated.

The emergency lever 101, which is ordinary in the construction of automobiles now upon the market, has pulleys 102 and 103 carried thereby, over which pulleys travels a trip cord 104. The cord 104 extends throu h a guideway 105 which is secured to the si e of the lever 101 and has its upper end connected to the hand grip or actuating lever 106 of the dog mechanism 107 which is carried by the lever 101 for coaction with the quadrant 108, for holdin the lever in various adjusted positions. he cord 104 passes about a pulley 109, which is supported in any suitable manner, and is connected to a piston rod 110. The piston rod 110 is connected to a piston 111 which is slidably mounted in a cylinder 112. The cylinder 112 is identical in construction to the cylinder 75, so that upon the inlet of air into the cylinder through the pi e 113, the piston 111 will be forced rearwar ly within the cylinder for operating the cord 104 for operating the belt mechanlsm for releasing the lever for pivotal movement.

The lever 101 has rearwardl extending ears 114 secured thereto, to w ich ears is loosely connected a iston rod 115. The piston rod 115 exten s into a cylinder 116, which is" connected to a second c linder 117.

The cylinders 116 and 117 are identical in construction to the cylinders 88 and 94, and the operation of the piston rod 115 is identical with the operation of the piston rod 87. The cylinder 117 has communication with the air supply through a pipe 118 and a T-joint 119, w ich is in turn connected to the valve 55 and through the pipe 120. Suitable bleed valves 113' and 118' are provided for bleeding the air from the cylinders 110 and 117 respectively, when it is desired to return the lever 105 to its normal position. The ordinary clutch pedal 121 is also operated by the air from the air chamber 56, when the automobile strikes a person. The foot pedal 121, used for operating the clutch, has a rod 122 connected thereto in any suitable manner, such as by pivotal connection to an ear 123 which extends outwardly from the lever. The rod 122 extends into a cylinder 124, which cylinder has its forward end rounded and is pro vided with a bore 125 extending therethrough, through which the rod 122 passes. The bore 125 has a pluralit of anti-friction ball bearings 126 positions about the same, which an port the rod 122 for preventing friction d uring their sliding movement of the rod. The rod 122 has a. piston 127 mounted upon its inner end. A spiral spring 129 is positioned within the c linder 124 an is connected to the piston 12 and the inner surface of the rear end of the cylinder 124, for automatically moving the piston 127 toward the rear end of the cylinder, after it the connection has been forced outwardly by a charge of compressed air which enters the cylinder 124 through the pipe connection 130.

The brake lever 131, which is also a foot lever having a tread 132 mounted thereon which is identical to the tread 133 of the clutch lever 121, also has a rod 134 connected thereto. The rod 134 extends into a cylinder 135, and has a piston 136 mounted upon its inner end. The piston 136 has a spiral spring 138 connectedthercto, which is also connected to the rear endiof the cylinder 135 for drawing the piston 136 toward the rear end of the cylinder after the air supply to the cylinder through the pipe .139 has been cut oh and the air bled from the.cylinder by the valve 141. Anti-friction ball bearings 140 are positioned within the for. ward end of the cylinder 135 and engage the rod 134 as it extends through the forward end of the cylinder, as is clearly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings.

The ipes 130 and 139 are connected to each 0t er and to a lead pipe 141 by means of a pipe T-joint 142. The pipe 141 is connected to the compressed air retaining cylinder 56 through the valve 55.

In the operation of the improved fender and actuating mechanism therefor as heretofore described: During the normal travel of the automobile to which the invention is attached. the curtain or fabric support 14 is normally rolled upon the shaft 13, and the piston rods 44 and 45 are in an inward position, having the piston 47 positioned at inner terminals within the cylinders 46, and the lever 3 is positioned for having the gears properly ositioned for forward movement of the ve icle or automobile, as is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

When the automobile strikes a person, the force of impact with the person, which will be struck by the uard 25, owing to the fact that this guard is positioned forwardly of all other parts of the machine, will force the guard 25 inwardly toward the cylinder or casing 10, forcing the rods 24 inwardly and rocking the pawls 22, releasing them from engagement with the peripheral ratchet teeth of the ratchet 20, so as to permit of the unwinding rotation of the shaft 13 for unwinding the fabric or flexible receiving curtain 14 therefrom. The inward movement of the fender 25, which fender is constructed of electrical conductive material, will cause sections of the fender to contact with the electrical contacts 32 and 33, closing a circuit therehetween and between the opposite poles of the motor 36.startin the motor for rotation of the motor sha t 66. The rotation of the shaft 66, will rotate the valve stem 58 through the connection between the shaft 66 and the valve stem 58 by 61 which has the serrations formed u on its lower end as heretofore described. he rotation of the valve stem 58 will open the valve 55, permitting the passage of air from the compressed air retaining cylinder 56 into and through the various parts 53, 54, 69 and 71.

The air passing through the pipes 54 and 53 will enter the cylinders 46 and force the pistons 47 outwardly therein, to the limit of their movement, which is caused by the partitions 51 mounted in the cylinder. The forward movement of the pistons 47 will consequently carry the piston rods 44 and 45 forwardly and owing to the fact that the flexible receiving curtain 14 is secured to the forward ends of the piston rods 44, it will unwind this curtain from the shaft 13 and force it outwardly for receiving the person or object struck, thereupon. The piston rods 44 and 45 are positioned so that the forward movement of the curtain 14 will engage the person struck at such a part of their body as to upset them and deposit them upon the flexible curtain as it passes outwardly, for preventing injury thereto. When the rods 44 and 45 are moved outwardly, the awls 46 will operate .for moving the paw 46* into the cut-out portions 44, for holding the rods extended against the action of the springs 52. The passage of the air from the cylinder 56 through the pipe 69 will force the piston 76 rearwardly within the cylinder 75, moving the piston rod 77 rearwardly. and operating the flexible cord 78, causing the same to pass over the pulleys 79 and 80 and draw the hand lever 82 inwardly for moving the clutch of the dog mechanism 83 out of the notch 85 in which it is seated. The passage of the air through the pipe 71 will enter the cylinder 94, and force the piston 95 forwardly therein. The forward motion of the piston 95 and the rod 97 will be lost, until the end of the piston rod 97 engages the piston 89 which is carried by the cylinder 88. The lost motion of the piston 95 and the piston rod 97 will permit of the operation of the dog mechanism 83 bv the movement of the piston 76 and the rod 77, prior to the operation of the lever 3 by the forward movement of the piston 89 and the piston rod 87. When the piston rod 97 engages the piston 89, it will force the same forwardly within the cylinder 88, upon further force being administered to the piston 95, which will force the lever 3 forwardly, until the dog mechanism seats itself in the notch 85 formed in the quadrant 84 which positions the lever at a neutral position, at which point the dog mechanism will automatically act, as is ordinary in the constructions of this nature. for retarding further movement of the lever 3. and will consequently stop the travel of the automobile.

' \Vhen the impact of the person with the guard 25. is released. this guard will automatically spring outwardly to its normal spaced position with respect to the cylinder 10, by the actuation of the spiral springs 26, which will break the contact or circuit. between the contacts 32 and 325 and con oquently stop the motor 36, After the automobile has stopped. the driver thereof may alight and move the valve stem In by engagin the rectangular portion 100 upon the va ve stem by manual pow r. or by the use of a wrench or other similar tool. which will place the device in a position for reoperation. after the person has been removed from the curtain 1t and the latter wound upon the shaft 13, by rotating the haft through the medium of a crank handle on; wrench, which may be applied to tho rectangular proje ting end 19 of the shaft.

The opening of the 'alve at will permit air to pass into the cylinders 10" and it)" hich will move the casing 10 outwardly. and release the tension ot' the flexible curtain l-l. forming a pocket for receiving and retaining the person which is deposited thereon. in a manner horotot'oro described.

The opening of the valve .36. will also operate. tho speed lever 3, and the foot. pedals 132 and 1'21. by the inlet of air into the various cylinders for controlling the operation of these various levers. which will cause the. levers to perform their ordinary functions identical with those performed when they are manually operated.

' The operation of tho lover 101. will operate the emergency brake. and immediately stop tho automobile. This lever is operated. in the manner identical with tho operation of the lover It. as heretofore described.

From tho foregoing description taken in connection with the accom ntnying drawings the advantages of construction and of the method oi" operation of tho improved fender attachment for automobiles will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains and. while in the. foregoing description. the principle of the operation of this invention has been described together with various features of construction. it is to be understood that certain minor features of coust-riurtit-in. combination and arral-igement of nuts may be alteredjto suit practical conditions provided such alterations are comprehended within the scope of what is claimed.

\Vhat lS-CltlllIlQtl 1s: a 1. The combination with an ordinary au- 'tomo'hile having a chas is and a lever for controlling the movement of the automobile. of a cylindrical casing carried by the forward end of said chassis, an object receiving curtain innuimllytmlled within said cylindrical casing. a compressed air cylinder carried by said chassis, means carried by said chassis foinantomatically releasing the air from said compressed air cylinder upon the, striking of an object by the automobile. for unwinding said article receiving curtain and forcing it forwardly of the front end oi said chassis. a dog mechanism carried by said lo vor for holding it against accidental movement. a lloxihlo member connected to said dog mechanism. a piston rod connected to said lloxiblo member. a compressed air controlled piston oporativcly connected to said piston rod. means connected to said first namod means for operating said piston for releasing said dog mechanism upon the actuation oi said article receiving curtain. and compressed air controlled means connected to said lever for automatically operating tho lovor immediately after release of said dog mechanism for arresting travel of the automobile. i

2. The combination with an automobile construction embodying a chassis. and a lover for controlling the movement of said antomobile, of a cplindrical easing carried by the forward end of said chassis. a shaft rotatablyjournalod within said (':t l|\,', an article receiving curtain normally rolled upon said shaft. a ratchet carried by said shaft. a pawl pivotally connected to said casing and engaging said ratchet to prevent nnrolliug rotation of said shaft. a plurality of rods slidably carried by said chassis and connected to .said curtain, a guard yioldahly supported forwardly of said casing. means connected to said guard and said pawl for moving the pawl out of engagement with said ratchet when said guard strikes an article for permitting of unwinding rotation oi said shaft. and means carried by said chassis for autonmtically moving said first namod rods fol wardly for unrolling said article receiving curtain from said shaft and positioning it forwardly of said automobile chassis.

3. lhe combination with an automobile construction embodying a chassis and a lover for controlling the movement of the automobile. of a cylindrical casing carried by the forward end of said chassis. a shaft rotatably journaled in said casing. an article receiving curtain normally rolled upon said shaft. a ratchet carried by said shaft. a pawl pivotally connected to said casing and engaging said ratchet l'or ucvouting unwinding rotation of said llttfl'. a guard yioldably supported forwardly of said ca-ing. means connected to said guard and said pawl for moving said pawl out of engagcment' with said rod upon roarwart-l movement of said guard for permitting of an unwimling rotation of said shaft. a plurality of rods slidably carried by said casing and connected to said curtain. and means carried by said chassis for autmnatically moving said rods forwardly for unrolling said article receiving curtain from said shaft and positioning lot! it forwardly of said automobile chassis, a dog mechanism carried by said lever for holding it against accidental movement, a flexible member connected to said dog mechanism, a piston rod connected. to said flexible member, a compressed air controlled piston operatively connected to said piston rod, means connected to said first named means for operating said piston for releasing said dog mechanism upon actuation of said article receiving curtain, and compressed air controlled means conn'ected to said lever for antomatically operating said lever immediately after release of said dog'mechanism for arrestin travel of the autom 4. l he combination with atiautomobile construction embodying a chassis and a lever for controlling the movement of said automobile, of a cylindrical casing carried by the forward end of said chassis, a shaft rotatably journaled within said casing, an article receiving curtain normally rolled upon said shaft, a ratchet carried by said shaft, a pawl pivotally mounted within said casing and engaging said ratchet for preventing unwinding rotation of said shaft, a guard yieldahly supported forwardly of said casing, means connectin said guard and pawl for moving said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet upon rearward movement of said guard for permitting of an unwindin rotation of said shaft, a plurality of ro s slidably carried 'by said chassis and connected to said curtain, means carried by saidvchassis for automatically moving said rods forwardly for unrolling said article receiving curtain from said shaft and positioning it forwardly of said automobile chassis, and means carried by said chassis for operating said lever synchronousl with the forward movement of said rods or arrestin the travel of the automobile.

5. he combination with an automobile of ordinary construction embodying a chassis and a lever for controlling the movement of said automobile, of a cylindrica casing carried by the forward end of said chassis, a shaft rotatably journaled within said casing, an article receiving curtain connected to said shaft and normally wound thereupon, a ratchet mounted upon said shaft, a pawl pivotally carried by said casing and engaging said ratchet for preventing unwinding rotation of said shaft, said casing being provided with an opening to permit of the passage of said article receiving curtain therefrom, a pair of rollers supported out wardly of said opening and spaced for iding the travel of said curtain, a guard eldably supported forwardly of said cylin rical casing. a rod connected to said guard nd pivotally connected to said pawl for moving said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet upon rearward movement of said guard under pressure. means for automaticeiving curtain, a compressed air retaining cylinder carried by said chassis nd having operative connection with said slidable rods for forcing said rods forwardly for unwinding said article receiving curtain from said shaft upon release of air from said cylinder, means for normally restraining t e release of air from said cylinder, and means operable by the inward movement of said guard for automatically operating said air restraining means for permitting of the escape of air for moving said rods forwardly and unrolling said article receiving curtain from said shaft.

6. The combination with an automobile of ordinary construction embodying a chassis and a lever for controlling the movement of said automobile, of a cylindrical casing carried by the forward end of said chassis, a shaft rotatably iournaled within said casing, an article receiving curtain connected to said shaft and normally wound "thereupon, a ratchet mounted upon said shaft, a pawl pivotally carried by said casing and engagmg said ratchet for preventing unwinding rotation of said shaft, said casing being provided with an opening to ermit of the passage of said article receivmg curtain therefrom, a pair of rollers supported outwardly of said opening and spaced for guidin the travel of said curtain, a guardyiel ably supported forwardly of said cylindrical casing, a rod connected to said guard and pivotally connecte .to said pawl for moving said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet upon rearward movement of said guard under pressure, means for automatically returning said guard and Said awl to their normal positions upon the re ease of pressure from said guard, a plurality of rods slidably carried by said chassis and connected to said article receiving curtain,

a compressed air retaining cylinder carried by said chassis-and having operative connection with said s'lidable rods for forcing said rods forwardly for unwindin said article receiving curtain from said sEaft upon redease of air from said cylinder, means for normally restraining the release of air from said cylinder, and means operable by the inward movement of said guard for automatically operating said air restrainin means for permitting of the escape of air or moving said rods forwardly and unrolling said article receiving curtain from said shaft a dog mechanism carried by said lever for holding it against accidental movement, a flexible member connected to said dog mechanism, compressed air controlled means operatively connected to said flexible member for operating said flexible member for releasing said dog mechanism upon the outward movement of said article receiving curtain, and compressed air controlled means connected to said lever for automatically operating the lever immediately after release of said dog mechanism for arresting the travel of said automobile.

7. The combination with an automobile of ordinary construction embodying a chassis and a lever for controllin the movement of said automobile, 'of a cyfindricalcasing carried by the forward end of said chassis, a shaft rotatably journaled within said casing, an article receiving curtain connected to said shaft and normall wound thereupon a plurality of rods slida 1y carried by said chassis and connected to said article receiving curtain, a guard normally spaced forwardly of said cylindrical casing, a com.- pressed air retaining receptacle carried by said chassis and havln operative communication with said slida le rods for forcing said rods forwardly for unwindin said article receiving curtain from said s iaft upon the release of air from said receptacle, means for normally restrainin the release of air from said receptacle, an means operable by the inward pressing movement of said guard for automatically operating said air restraining means for permittin of the escape of air for moving said ro s forwardly and unrolling said article receiving -curtain from said shaft, means for normally preventing unrollin rotation of said shaft, means operable y the inward movement of said guard for releasing said shaft unrolling rotation restraining means, and means carried by said casing for automatically o crating said lever upon the release of air rom said air receptacle for moving said lever for stopping movement of said automobiler 8. The combination with an automobile of ordinary construction embodying a chassis and a lever for controllin the movement of said automobile, of a. c Endrical casing carried by the forward en of said chassis, a shaft rotatably 'journaled within said casing, an article receiving curtain connected to said shaft and normally wound thereon a plurality of rods slidably carried by said chassis and connected to said article receiving curtain, a guard normally spaced forwardly of said cylindrical casing, a com pressed air retaining receptacle carried by said chassisland havin operative communication with said slide le rods for forcing said rods forwardly for unwindin said article receiving curtain from said s aft upon the release of air from said receptacle, means for normally restraining the release of air from said receptacle, means operable by inward movement of said guard for automatically operating said air restraining means movement of 1,2se,4a1

for permitting of ,the escape of air for moving said rods forwardly and unrolling said article receiving. curtain from said shaft, means for normally reventing the unrolling rotation of said sha t, means operable by the inward movement of said guard under pressure for releasing said shaft unrolling rotation restraining means, and means carried by said casing for automatically operating said lever upon the release of air from said air cylinder formoving said lever for arresting movement of said automobile, an automatically acting locking means for enaging said rods when moved outwardly for 0 ing the rods and curtain in an extended position.

9. The combination with an automobile of ordinary construction embodying a chassis and a lever for controlling the movement of said automobile, of a cylindrical casing carried by the forward end of said chassis, a shaft rotatably journaled within said casing, an article receiving curtain connected to said shaft and normally wound thereon, a plurality of rods slidably carried by said chassis and connected to said article receiving curtain, a guard normally spaced forwardly of said 0 lindrical casing, a compressed air retaining receptacle carried by said chassis and having operative communication with said slidable rods for forcin said rods forwardly for unwinding said article receiving curtain from said shaft upon the release of air from said receptacle, means for normally restraining the release of air from said receptacle, means operable by inward movement of said guard for automatically operating said air restraining means for permitting of the escape of air for moving said rods forwardly and unrolling said article receiving curtain from said shaft, means for normally preventing the unrollin rotation of said shaft means operable by he inward said ard under pressure for releasing said sha t unrolling rotation restrainin means, and means carried by said casing or automatically operating said lever upon the release of air from said air cylinder for moving said lever for arresting movement of said automobile, an automatically acting locking means for engaging said rods when moved outwardly for holding the rods and curtain in an extended position, and-means for automatically returning said ard to its normal position and moving sai restraining means into an operative position upon the release of pressure from said guard.

10. The combination with an automobile of ordinary construction embodying a chassis and a lever for controllin the movement of said automobile, of a cylindrical casing carried b the forward end of said chassis, a she t rotatably journaled within said casing, an article receiving curtain connected to said shaft and normally wound thereon, a plurality of rods slidably carried by said chassis and connected to said article receiving curtain, a guard normally spaced forwardly of said cylindrical casing, a compressed air retaining receptacle carried by said chassis and having 0 erative communication with said slidable rods for forcing said reds forwardly for unwinding said article receivin curtain from said shaft upon the release 0 air from said receptacle, means for normal'l restraining the release of air from said eceptacle, means operable by inward movement, of said ard for automatically operating said air restraining means for; permitting of the escape of air for moving said rods forwardly and unrolling said article receiving curtain from said shaft, means for normally preventing the unrolling rotation of said shaft, means operable by the inward movement of said guard under pressure for releasing said shaft unrolling rotation restraining means, and means carried by said casing for automatically operating said lever upon the release of air from said air cy inder for movin said lever for arresting movement of said automobile, and automatically acting locking means for en aging said rods when moved outwardly for holding the rods and curtain in an extended position, and means for automatically returning said rod and curtain to their normal position upon refiopla at this patent may be obtained tor ave cents each. by addressing the lease of said automatic acting locking means.

11. The combination with an automo bile of ordinary construction embodying a chamis, a gear shifting lever and anemergenc brake lever, of a cylindrical casin yiel ably carried by the forward end of said chassis, a shaft rotatably journaled within said casing, an article receiving curtain normally wound upon said shaft, one end of said curtain hanging free from said shaft, a plurality of rods connected to said free end, means for forcing said rods forwardly for unrolling said article receiving curtain from said shaft and positioning it forwardly of said chassis when the automobile strikes an object, pivoted pawls for engagement with said rods upon their forward movement for preventing accidental rearward movement of said rods, and means for automatically returning said rods to an inoperative position, and means operatively connected to said gear shifting .lever and said emergency brake lever for moving said gear shifting lever into a neutral position and operating said emergency brake lever for stopping the travel of the automobile upon operation of said curtain. In testimony whereof I have aflixed hereto my signature in presence of two witnesses. CHARLES SADLO. Witnesses:

WILLIAM E. INIS, Emn G. Savanna/on.

commissioner of intents,

Wuhlnltol, D. 0.

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